Acts 4:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

American Standard Version:

And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} they called^{G2564} them^{G846}, and commanded^{G3853} them^{G846} not^{G3361} to speak^{G5350} at all^{G2527} nor^{G3366} teach^{G1321} in^{G1909} the name^{G3686} of Jesus^{G2424}.

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Commentary for Acts 4:18

Acts 4:18 is a verse set within the broader context of the early Christian church's struggles and growth following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The book of Acts, written by Luke, details the acts of the apostles and the spread of Christianity in the first century.

In this particular verse, "they" refers to the Jewish religious authorities, specifically the Sadducees, who were alarmed by the apostles' preaching about Jesus' resurrection. These leaders had previously arrested the apostles Peter and John for healing a lame man and preaching in Jesus' name in the Temple (Acts 3-4). After being released, Peter and John continued to preach boldly, which led to their re-arrest and the warning given in Acts 4:18.

The themes present in this verse include the tension between the establishment and the nascent Christian movement, the boldness of the apostles in the face of persecution, and the centrality of Jesus' name in the early church's message. The command not to speak or teach in Jesus' name reflects the authorities' attempt to suppress the spread of Christianity, which they saw as a threat to their power and the established religious order.

Historically, this verse captures a moment of transition and conflict in the early church. The apostles' refusal to comply with this command (as seen in the subsequent verses) demonstrates their commitment to their mission and their willingness to face imprisonment, beatings, and even death for the sake of the gospel. This moment is emblematic of the early Christians' dedication to their faith and the eventual irrepressible spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, despite official opposition and persecution.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2564
   There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καλέω
   Transliteration: kaléō
   Pronunciation: kal-eh'-o
   Description: akin to the base of κελεύω; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3853
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραγγέλλω
   Transliteration: parangéllō
   Pronunciation: par-ang-gel'-lo
   Description: from παρά and the base of ἄγγελος; to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin:--(give in) charge, (give) command(-ment), declare.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3361
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μή
   Transliteration: mḗ
   Pronunciation: may
   Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5350
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φθέγγομαι
   Transliteration: phthéngomai
   Pronunciation: ftheng'-gom-ahee
   Description: probably akin to φέγγος and thus to φημί; to utter a clear sound, i.e. (generally) to proclaim:--speak.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2527
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καθόλου
   Transliteration: kathólou
   Pronunciation: kath-ol'-oo
   Description: from κατά and ὅλος; on the whole, i.e. entirely:--at all.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3366
   There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μηδέ
   Transliteration: mēdé
   Pronunciation: may-deh'
   Description: from μή and δέ; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor:--neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1321
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διδάσκω
   Transliteration: didáskō
   Pronunciation: did-as'-ko
   Description: a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application):--teach.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1909
    There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπί
    Transliteration: epí
    Pronunciation: ep-ee'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
    
11. Strong's Number: G3686
    There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄνομα
    Transliteration: ónoma
    Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
    
12. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.